On 25 Jan 2013, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment published a notice stating that it has been entrusted by the Ministry of Health to revise the national standard GB 9685-2008, Hygienic Standards for Uses of Additives in Food Containers and Packaging Materials.
The safety of food containers and packaging materials, including paper, bamboo, wood, metals, porcelain, ceramics, plastics, rubber, fibre, glass and other equipment or utensils in contact with food, is closely connected with the safety of food. The current effective GB 9685-2008 plays a significant role in guaranteeing the safe use of additives in food containers and packaging materials by specifying principles for uses of additives and listing allowed additives.
The standard includes 959 additives that are permitted to be used in food containers and packaging materials and stipulates their scope of use, maximum level, specific migration limit or maximum permitted quantity and other restrictive requirements.
Nevertheless, during the past four years, many food safety incidents emerged, raising tremendous concern. For example, last November, the scandal of excessive plasticizers in liquors was exposed and has caused a sensation. Those hazardous substances are introduced from food contact materials, like pipelines during manufacturing.
Before conducting revision, the National Center is now collecting suggestions from the public, especially all manufacturers, operators and users of additives in food containers and packaging materials and the related supervisory departments.
You need to send your comments by e-mail or fax before 28 Feb.
Contact persons: Zhu Lei, Zhang Hong
Tel: 010-52165427, 010-52165471
Fax: 010-52165424
E-mail: zqyj@cfsa.net.cn
We provide full-scale global food market entry services (including product registration, ingredient review, regulatory consultation, customized training, market research, branding strategy). Please contact us to discuss how we can help you by 
